Phototone PAR Meter App test vs Photobio vs Apogee

Here are the results from the iPhone app - Photone (led mode purchase - iPhone pro 14 - diffuser) - a $170 PAR meter and the $560 Apogee MQ-610 meter.
I originally did this comparison with standard copy paper - which is 22# weight. After posting my results on Reddit, a developer asked me to try some different paper. What I learned - if you are going to use this app to measure PAR - it seems to be very accurate - even compared to the high end Apogee. HOWEVER - the developers should/need to mention that in order to get accurate results you MUST use 22# paper, which is not standard copy paper.
The instructions in the app say "Use regular matte white printer paper (22lb or 80g/m2) - 22lb paper is not the standard paper, and most users are most likely not going to have it readily available.

[@hefnhef1]

Extremely helpful and valuable information - thank you for taking the time to run this experiment and posting your results.

[@federere2142]

Best video. Thank you!

[@RD-Tech]

lol iphone struggle , on my Samsung S21 it is precalibrated and no diffusor needed . i match it with my sanlight PPFD chart and its ready to go without any extra calibration or diffuser

[@TheMitsos123]

they dont need a diffuser now..can you make a new video now?and did you use the right spectrum from the app with your led?

[@iggy0978]

I'm pretty sure they do need a diffuser now - because I have the newest Iphone and the app clearly says to use a 22# paper. And yes it was set to LED.

[@deplaneetegmont]

@@iggy0978 Is there a big difference between the LED setting and the free CMH?

[@iggy0978]

@@deplaneetegmont I'm not sure, I just used the LED setting because that's what I was using.

[@deplaneetegmont]

@@iggy0978 Ok thanks, my readings seem to be on point based on the available par charts, but I better just pay for it and get the right setting, just to be sure.

[@fenerbahceliyk]

He talks about Android version there you dont need a diffuser its even innacurate iwth a diffuser on with an android anyways you cant help him you didn't even understand what he meant

[@user-vj5ty1ex1m]

Would that work with my Samsung s21 ultra5g?

[@liketobe2743]

You never know. What you could try to figure out is which light sensor is build in and search for people which are running different ones but the same light in a comparable tent and measure. We have way too less info to get accurate data. The app shows too much usually so I would just go for high but in range values for your plants. I am using light tubes (like CFL) Taifun TLL 2x75W 6500k. I like them more over full spectrum Led for the first 21 days. Way more compact growth and thickening stems, increased growth on side branches. The app tells me my light has at 15cm distance 1300 ppfd (set to blue light tube) that's either impossible or my seedlings are bad ass. To be fair yes they develop lightstress, but giving them the recommended 200 ppfd read with this app for this light would cause them to become asparagus. For led maybe for CFL no.

[@dn-news8565]

Find lots of them on Amazon

[@jeffb5051]

So literally - 200 from iPhone to have a professional par meter for 0$

[@randomdude189]

You have to pay for the app to use the led reader so it’s not zero

[@SaulGodman4200]

Hey can you test the Photobio vs apogee ? I would like to buy the Photobio but i dont know how accurate it is

[@mrmalavey1098]

Is this not redundant if you calibrate the app to the correct par with any paper?

[@lightrayinnovation]

Thank you for your comparison video! We're aware that sourcing the right paper can be tricky and we're working on a better solution. We didn't measure the specific 22# paper you're using but it seems like this works well too and we try to get our hands on a few sheets to verify that 😃 Happy growing! Dominik and the Photone Team

[@korey420]

Their is a reason ppfd meters are so expensive, sorry but no app is going to accurately test ppfd of any light much Less LED

[@markspence4173]

Do you not believe the results he achieved with the staples 98B 22lb paper? They were within few points looked like. I use an apogee quantum 500 myself but these results were impressive for the hobbyist imo

[@digitalasylum369]

Has anyone done an analysis between the app and PAR/PPFD meters using multiple different lights? I don't believe that the app does what it says: Quantum meters have sensors and filters not available on consumer phones!

[@markspence4173]

I feel you, doesn’t seem possible but 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@michaelolivares812]

Did you all not finish watching the video ?

[@UniitedVu]

Thanks man ! I’m heading to staples tomorrow to pick some up. I had the 20# myself and it’s off by 150+ just from what I’m reading from the production company of my mars hydro. Keep up the videos man !

[@iggy0978]

You're welcome. I still prefer the dedicated PAR meter but it shows that the app works just as well.

[@Badboii21]

Good stuff! Btw did you select “LED” on the Photone app?

[@iggy0978]

Yes

[@j562gee0hdeewestsdegethemuLa]

For android It’s trash . It doesn’t even detect 660nm just adds a mathematical guess . IMO it was off by like 200 par at some levels for example canopy for photone + ppfd meter was both exactly same around 440 and phantombio was 670

[@23lnp]

Im trying to find this spec of paper in uk but cant seem to find it. I think the US uses different specs than europe / uk so im looking for similar specs. I think similar spec is 80 gsm / 21lb / 168 cie whiteness / 98 brightness

[@peterrudiadamski2776]

So pleasy why i have do give a piece of paper on the sensort on the phone? Thanx for answering!😂🤗

[@minnesnowda2510]

Also try a real diffuser for the app, then use a 2nd device along with the device u have, I wonder if each device is different as well !!

[@michampunkt1353]

did you calibrate after each new paper the app to vendors ppfd chart?

[@GojoTv777]

Did you test it with different phone to see if it wasnt just that particular model that was more accurate with that specific printer paper?

[@golfshoe9321]

Nice job bro, headed to Staples now.

[@regularSenseAppeal]

Awesome stuff. So helpful!

[@AditiSingh10]

Thank you for the detailed video

[@warriorxtman2]

Why Android is better. No paper needed.

[@prefly103]

Nah nah, i have 3 different Androids, with up to 300 par, in measuring differences. Due to very different hard, and software init. 🌞

[@michealstokes1776]

𝓅𝓇o𝓂o𝓈𝓂 😁

[@Bread2121]

That paper is not easy to find!!!!!

[@iggy0978]

Staples carries it

[@cmmnsenserules4339]

All you need is something that's "accurately inaccurate" as long as it accurate at being perfectly inaccurate, say par is 700, phone reads 600....you can use it, as long as it stays inaccurately accurate 👍

[@tomj6266]

Since the developer is aware of the 20# vs 22# issue, why don't they just tweak their algorithm to work with the more available 20# paper? Seems that would be the most customer friendly answer.

[@lightrayinnovation]

Hi Tom, developer here ;) You're right but unfortunately we found the 20# paper types to deviate more than the #22 ones (we've measured 25+ European and US paper brands), and there are a few other drawbacks. We're working on a way better solution but this will still take a few months I assume. Meanwhile, the paper topic is a bit tricky as the video has shown but we hope to resolve it asap🙂 Cheers, Dominik and the Photone Team

[@MrE1981]

You didn't even put them next to each other. You realise the light value isn't the same if it's not in the same place right? What an absolute waste of time.

[@iggy0978]

I measured them multiple times with the exact same result. Just couldn't put them on top of each other for sake of filming. I measured with the apogee prior to this. Try it yourself if you feel like it's a waste of time. You'll come up with the same results - and THAT will be the waste of time.

[@korey420]

Just one more reason Samsung is better than apple.. no paper needed🤷‍♂️🤣

[@bravosixs1446]

I don't think it's accurate, not because of Samsung. The software itself and optimization

[@korey420]

@bravo six s you are 100% correct.. these phone apps don't work at all for ppfd.. I have a apogee ppfd meter and the phone app is way off.. I'd say 30% difference

[@iggy0978]

I mean - you just saw that it's very accurate using the right paper

[@markspence4173]

Cognitive dissonance

[@user-mz9rd5wg2w]

@@iggy0978 needing to filter the light through a diffuser is just proving the sensor and software for the phone isn't good. We'd need to see tests for every model of current phone out to know which paper should be used to be close to the accuracy of a proper meter. Not just one iPhone.